If you’re looking for an easy hike in Banff National Park that delivers beautiful mountain scenery without a time commitment, the Johnson Lake Trail should be on your list. Only a 10-minute drive from the Banff townsite, this peaceful lakeside walk offers stunning views of Cascade Mountain and Mount Rundle, and offers one of Banff’s only sandy beaches. Whether...
Jasper National Park is home to breathtakingly beautiful lakes and waterways. Glacier-fed lakes almost glow stunning turquoise and are so clear you can sometimes see fish swimming below your canoe or kayak. With easily accessible launch points and paddlecraft rentals in town and throughout the park, canoeing, kayaking, or stand-up paddleboarding in Jasper is an...
Spirit Island is one of the most photographed locations in the Canadian Rockies. It’s not accessible by road or a hiking trail, only by boat. You can either paddle 14 kilometres (one-way) in a canoe or kayak to see it, or take the popular Spirit Island Boat Cruise. This tiny, forested island sits in the vibrantly turquoise waters of Maligne Lake in Jasper National...
The Jacques Lake Trail in Jasper National Park is a straightforward in-and-out trail that follows a series of small lakes and streams to picturesque Jacques Lake. The trail is relatively flat, runs through a beautiful, spruce forest, and leads to the Jacques Lake backcountry campground and the Jacques Lake Cabin, operated by the Alpine Club of Canada. The Jacques...
Having visited Banff several times a year for most of my life, I had never ridden the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain. While standing on a mountain top can be pretty chilly in the winter, we decided to take the ride up and enjoy the views. Is the Banff Gondola worth it in the winter? Tickets for the Banff Gondola are expensive, so you might be wondering whether...
Kouchibouguac National Park has always been the first “welcome to the Atlantic Ocean” stop on our trips across Canada from the west. It has shady and peaceful campgrounds, sheltered lagoons and stunning white sand beaches. Visitors can enjoy the natural beauty on hiking trails, coastal biking paths and by canoe or kayak. It’s the perfect destination to take an active...
St. John’s, Newfoundland, is one of the most interesting Canadian cities we’ve explored. Canada’s oldest city is known for its lively Maritime culture, colourful row houses and dramatic coastal scenery, and it’s a great landing point for your Newfoundland adventure. We recently travelled to St. John’s, and it exceeded our already high expectations. We were...
Maligne Lake is one of the most scenic lakes in Jasper National Park, and most picturesque in my opinion! Some would argue that it’s also one of the most popular backcountry paddling destinations in the Canadian Rockies, for good reason. It’s gorgeous, the campsites offer exceptionally beautiful lake and mountain views, and you can paddle Maligne Lake with kids. I’ll...
The diversity of activities and experiences in Prince Albert National Park makes outdoor adventure possible for every kind of explorer. Beautiful, clear lakes, front and backcountry camping, recreational, natural and cultural learning activities and the vibrant summer village of Waskesiu offer a little something for everyone. Our favourite thing about this national...
Exploring the backcountry with kids opens up a new world of outdoor adventure opportunities. Whether you’re hiking, biking or paddling, you can access beautiful wilderness while building lasting memories with your family. Backcountry trips with kids take extra planning and packing, but it is more than doable, and the rewards are worth the effort. Still, kids...